Apparatus for transporting cigarettes or the like



Oct. 20, 1970 w. RUDSZINAT ETAL 3,535,003

APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 196B Q\ m i4 I; J, I .M .l Y 1 Jul N m \BHI, .w v & W/\||m.\n:|Um... mm n w wmm MN m. q 1 .i will. a .rlii i M 4 NY M Q /N VENTORS /160 f 19095 L 014mm Masada/r .BY

OZe/ae/I. f/l/Kff' ATTORNEY Oct. 20,1970 w. RUDSZINAT EI'AL Q 3,535,003

APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f I 1 Fig.2 7 H122 5 /25 lie /NVENTORS.' U146? Rupizwnr DIE/"E12 MIMZEWPII ATTORNEY Oct. 20, 1970 3,535,003

APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE W. RUDS ZINAT ETAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 15, 1968 QM. Mm

IN VENTORS A/maf Rapsz/mr ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,535,003 APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE Willy Rudszinat, Dassendorf, near Hamburg, and Dieter Ludszeweit, Hamburg-Lohbrugge, Germany, assignors to Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG., Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany Filed July 15, 1968, Ser. No. 744,995 Claims priority, application Great Britain, July 21, 1967, 33,791/ 67 Int. Cl. 365g 53/00 US. Cl. 3022 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Cigarettes which are discharged lengthwise from the cutoff of a rod cigarette machine are fed into successive flutes of a revolving drum and are arrested and located in predetermined axial positions by forces produced by two or more streams of compressed air and/or suction air. The resultant of forces acting upon a cigarette in predetermined position is zero. A stationary shroud seals from the atmosphere the outer sides of those flutes which receive cigarettes from the cutoff and while the cigarettes in such flutes are acted upon to assume predetermined positions. Each cigarette can be biased against the adjoining surface of the respective flute by atmospheric air which is admitted through openings provided in the shroud.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting cigarettes or other types of rodshaped commodities, either singly or in groups of two or more, for example, packs which contain predetermined numbers of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or other tobaccocontaining rod-shaped commodities.

Modern cigarette machines are designed to produce several thousand cigarettes per minute. Such high-speed machines can be operated at maximum rate of speed only if they are equipped or combined with mechanisms or apparatus which can properly accept, transport and position cigarettes at the same rate at which the cigarettes issue from the cut-off, i.e., from that part of a cigarette machine which severs a continuous cigarette rod into sections of unit length or multiple unit length. As a rule, apparatus which accept cigarettes from the cutofli are designed to convert a single file of cigarettes which move lengthwise (axially) into one or more rows of cigarettes which travel sideways. Such apparatus comprise a fluted drum Whose flutes receive cigarettes from the cutoff and move the cigarettes sideways by simultaneously causing each cigarette to assume a predetermined position prior to being transferred onto a catcher belt or into the flutes of a further drum.

The main problem which is encountered in presently known apparatus is to properly locate cigarettes in the flutes of the drum so that the cigarettes are properly aligned and form one or more rows before they reach the catcher band. The flutes of conventional drums are normally provided with mechanical stops which arrest the cigarettes in predetermined axial positions. This proposal is not satisfactory when the cigarettes enter the flutes at a high speed because they are caused to impact against the stops with a force which results in deformation and/or rebounding so that the final axial positions of cigarettes cannot be determined in advance with a requisite degree of accuracy. More recent proposals (see US. Pat. No. 3,039,590 to Best) include the provision of mechanical brakes which arrest the cigarettes before they reach the stops, and the provision of nozzles which proice duce streams of suction air or compressed air to shift the cigarettes (whose axial movement was terminated in response to mechanical braking action) all the way into abutment with the respective stops. It was found that the stops are still likely to deform the wrappers and/or the fillers of cigarettes and that the cigarettes are still likely to rebound when they are either blown or sucked into actual abutment with the stops. Furthermore, the mechanical braking devices often damage, smudge and/or deform the wrappers.

British Pat. No. 651,679 to Dank discloses a drum wherein a suction chamber draws air through orifices provided in the stops so that the cigarettes are caused to adhere to and are prevented from rebounding on impact against the respective stops. This proposal failed to find widespread acceptance because the streams of suction air which pull cigarettes against the stops must be very strong when the drum receives cigarettes at rapidly following intervals so that the cigarettes are invariably damaged or at least deformed when they impact against the respective stops.

Additional problems arise during acceleration of a cigarette machine to normal operating speed when the cigarettes enter the flutes at different speeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of our invention to provide a method of transporting cigarettes or other types of rod-shaped commodities in such a way that the axial or lengthwise movement of commodities can be terminated without resorting to mechanical brakes and/0r stops and With a high degree of accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method according to which cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped commodities can be transported and properly located by resorting exclusively to streams of compressed air and/or suction air.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method according to which the commodities can be properly located and transported at the same rate at which they issue from a modern cigarette machine when such machine operates at a maximum rate of speed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method according to which the commodities are treated gently and which can be employed to convert a single file of axially moving commodities into one or more rows of commodities which move sideways and wherein each commodity of either row is properly aligned with all other commodities of the same row.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus which can be utilized in the practice of our method and which is particularly suited for transportation and positioning of cigarettes, filter rods, filter rod sections, cigars, cigarillos or analogous commodities, either singly or in groups of two or more.

The improved method comprises the steps of conveying each of a series of commodities (e.g.. each of a single file of cigarettes rwhich advance past the cutoff of a rod cigarette machine) lengthwise in a direction toward a predetermined position; and subjecting such commodities to the action of forces produced by a plurality of gas streams 'which act on the commodities in and counter to the aforementioned direction to locate each commodity in the respective predetermined axial position. The arrangement is preferably such that the resultant of forces acting upon the commodities in the respective predetermined positions is zero, i.e., the resultant of forces acting upon a commodity which is outside of or remote from the respective predetermined position imparts to the commodity a movement toward the predetermined position.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of our invention, each commodity is moved along an enlongated path which is at least substantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere. For example, the two gas streams may be two suction air streams which enter the respective path lengthwise from opposite ends and leave such path by flowing substantially transversely of the direction of movement of the respective path lengthwise from opposite ends and leave such path by flowing substantially transversely of the direction of movement of the respective commodity toward its predetermined position. Alternatively, the two streams may be streams of compressed air which flow along the respective path in opposite directions. It is also within the purview of our invention to employ a suction air stream which enters the respective path from the atmosphere in the direction of movement of the corresponding commodity and leaves the path by flowing substantially transversely of the moving commodity, and a stream of compressed air which flows lengthwise of the path counter to the direction of movement of the commodity so that the first stream pulls the commodity toward and propels it beyond the predetermined position and the second stream opposes the movement of the commodity to such position.

At least one of the streams can leave the respective path by flowing transversely of and along at least a substantial portion of the circumference of the commodity. The conveying step may comprise moving the commodities along guide surfaces and the method may include the additional step of increasing friction between the commodities and the corresponding guide surfaces to thereby brake the commodities on their way toward ultimate axial positions. The friction increasing step may include subjecting the commodities to air pressure acting thereon transversely of the direction of movement toward predetermined positions to bias the commodities against the guide surfaces. The conveying step is preferably carried out by resorting to a drum whose flutes define elongated paths for successive commodities and wherein the commodities move sideways, at least during travel toward predetermined positions.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved transporting apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a transporting apparatus for cigarettes which embodies one form of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partly sectional view of a detail in the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a second transporting apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a third apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a similar fragmentary axial sectional view of a fourth apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a fifth apparatus with portions of certain parts broken away; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IX IX of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the essential parts of an apparatus which is utilized to convert a single file of axially moving cigarettes 34 into two rows of cigarettes wherein the cigarettes travel sideways. Such apparatus may be used with advantage in combination with or in a rod cigarette machine, or as a link between a rod cigarette machine and a filter cigarette machine.

The apparatus comprises a conveyor in the form of a drum 1 which rotates about a horizontal axis and carries an annulus of equidistant axially parallel inserts 3 secured thereto by screws 2 or analogous fasteners. The drum 1 resembles a hollow cylinder and has an internal annular flange 4 which is integrad with a hub 6 fitted onto one end of a drive shaft 7 and secured thereto for rotary movement by a key 8. The shaft 7 is rotatable in antifriction bearings 9', 11 which are mounted in a stationary bearing sleeve 12 and are held apart by a distancing sleeve 53. The bearing sleeve 12 is secured to a stationary frame member 20 of a conventional rod cigareete machine by screws 13. The drive for the drum 1 further comprises a gear 14 which is secured to the shaft 7 by a key 52 and a bolt 51. The gear 14 derives motion from the motor of the cigarette cutoff in the rod cigarette machine, for example, by way of a gear train or by way of an endless chain. Walls 15, :16 and 17 which are affixed to the bearing sleeve 12 define with the latter a stationary annular suction chamber 18 which communicates with a second annular suction chamber 21 by way of openings 19 provided in the wall 15. The second suction chamber 21 communicates with a suction channel 23 of the frame member 20 by way of an opening 22 in a flange of the bearing sleeve 12. The channel 23 is connected to a suction fan, a suction pump or another suitable suction generating device 23a.

The inserts 3 on the periphery of the drum 1 define elongated flutes or channels 24 in which the cigarettes 34 advance lengthwise while simultaneously moving sideways. The depth of each flute 24- approximates or slightly exceeds the diameter of a cigarette. The open outer sides of certain flutes 24 are sealed from the surrounding atmosphere by a shroud 26 which extends along an arc of approximately 90 degrees, see FIG. 2. It will be noted that the shroud 26 has been omitted in FIG. 1; this shroud also seals the adjoining flutes 24 from each other. Stationary guides or shields 54 are secured to the shroud 26 and/ or to the frame member 20 and extend beyond both ends of the shroud, as considered in the circumferential direction of the drum 1. These shields 54 serve to hold cigarettes 34 in the respective flutes 24 in the region downstream of the shroud 26.

Each insert 3 comprises several aligned sections or portions which define between themselves arcuate re cesses or ports 27, 28 or 29, 31. These ports serve to permit evacuation of air from the respective flutes 24, i.e., to draw two suction air streams from opposite axial ends of the passages defined by those flutes 24 which travel along the shroud 26. It will be noted that the ports 27, 28 alternate with ports 29, 31, as considered in the circumferential direction of the drum 1 and are axially staggered with reference to each other. This is best shown in FIG. 1 wherein the ports 27, 28 in alternate flutes 24 are located in a first pair of parallel planes making a right angle with the axis of the drum 1, and the ports 29, 31 are located in a second pair of parallel planes which also make a right angle with the drum axis. Each flute 24 which communicates with a pair of ports 27, 28 is flanked by two flutes which communicate with a pair of ports 29, 31, and vice versa. It will be noted that each of the ports 27, 28, 29, 31 extends all the way around the circumference of the respective flute 24 so that a cigarette 34 which extends across one of these ports can be subjected to suction which acts on its wrapper along an arc of at least 180 degrees. The cylindrical wall of the drum 1 is formed with elongated axially parallel slots or cutouts 32 each of which communicates with one of the ports 27, 28, 29, 31 and each of which also communicates with the suction chamber 18 while advancing along the inner side of the shroud 26. The distance between a pair of ports 27, 28 or 29, 31 equals or approximates the length of a cigarette 32; such distance is measured from the remotest point of a port 27 or 29 to the remotest point of the corresponding port 28 or 31. The cutoff of the rod cigarette machine comprises a tubular outlet 33 which constitutes a feed for cigarettes 34 and registers with the intake ends of successive flutes 24 when the drum 1 rotates. FIG. 4 shows that the discharge end of the outlet 33 is provided with an internal chamfer 57 and that the intake ends of the inserts 3 are also provided with chamfers 56 to facilitate the travel of cigarettes 34 from the outlet or feed into the respective flutes 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wall 16 of the suction chamber 18 has an arcuate window or opening 16a whose circumferential length approximates that of and which registers with the shroud 26 to permit communication of adjoining ports 27, 28, 29 and 31 with the chamber 18. Thus, suction is effective only in those ports and in those slots 32 which are adjacent to the inner side of the shroud 26. a

The operation is as follows:

The gear 14 drives the shaft 7 and drum 1 in synchronism with the cutoff of the rod cigarette machine. As is known from the art of rod cigarette machines, the cutoff severs a continuous cigarette rod which issues from the machine to form a single file of discrete cigarettes 34 of unit length of multiple unit length.

The suction generating device 23a evacuates air from the chamber 18 and produces two suction air streams A1 and A2 the first of which flows through the outlet 33, into the registering flute 24 and port- 28 or 31 to pass through the respective slot 32 and to ultimately enter the chamber 18 whence it is withdrawn by way of openings 19, chamber 21, opening or openings 22 and channel 23. The other air stream A2 enters at the open left-hand end of each flute 24 which registers with the shroud 26 and flows along the flute 24, through the port 27 or 29, through the corresponding slot 32 and into the suction chamber 18 to be withdrawn from this chamber by way of openings 19, 22, chamber 21 and channel 23. The streams A1 and A2, which flow in opposite directions, are combined into a composite or main stream A3 on entry into the chamber 18 which is evacuated by way of the channel 23. When a cigarette 34 enters the intake end of a flute 24 by way of the outlet 33, it is immediately subjected to the action of the air stream A1 which draws, or pulls it toward the center of the corresponding flute 24. Such cigarette is then also subjected to the action of the second air stream A2 and the resultant of forces produced by these air streams is zero when the cigarette 34 comes to rest between the corresponding ports 27, 28 or 29, 31. Such position of a cigarette 34 is shown in FIG. 3. If the flutes 24 are sufficiently long, the initial speed at which the cigarettes 34 advance toward the drum 1 under the action of the rod cigarette machine is of no consequence because the air stream A1 determines the speed at which a cigarette advances into and along the respective flute 24 toward its ultimate position. Therefore, the cutoifof the rod cigarette machine need not be provided with a kicker, e.g., an eccentric roller or wheel (shown at 506 in FIG. 8) which is normally required in connection with delivery of cigarettes from the cutoff to conventional transporting apparatus. Since the ports 29, 31 are staggered with reference to the ports 27, 28, the drum 1 automatically assembles the cigarettes in two rows which advance sideways, first along the inner side of the shroud 26 and thereupon along the guides 54, to be discharged or otherwise transfered onto a customary catcher belt a portion of which is shown in FIG. 2. The axial spacing of the ports 28, 29 is such that the two rows of cigarettes 34 on the catcher band 5 are separated from each other, by a distance which suflices to permit insertion of filter rod sections of double unit length.

Each cigarette 34 which enters a flute 24 in communication with a pair of ports 27, 28 is followed by a cigarette which enters a flute 24 in communication with a pair of ports 29, 31. It is clear that the catcher band 5 can be replaced by a transfer drum which delivers two rows of cigarettes to the assembly drum of a filter cigarette machine or to another destination.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a second apparatus wherein the drum 101 carries an annulus of inserts 103 forming axially parallel flutes 124 (only one shown). The shroud 126 is mounted in the same way as in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4 but is provided with an opening 142, The chamber 118 is a plenum chamber, i.e., it is connected to a compressor or another suitable source of compressed air, and communicates with the flutes 124 by way of three inclined slots 143, 144, 146 machined into the drum 101 and ports 127, 128, 141 provided in the inserts 103. The inclination of slots 143, 144 is such that the streams of compressed air which issue from the chamber 118 and pass through the corresponding ports 128, 127 have components C1, C2 acting upon cigarettes 134 in the longitudinal direction of the respective flutes 124. The components C1, C2 flow in opposite directions. The left-hand ends of the flutes 124 are sealed from the atmosphere by suitable lids or flanges 103a of the respective inserts 103. The slots 146 discharge into successive ports 141 air streams having components C3 acting in the longitudinal direction of the respective flutes 124 and escaping through the opening 142 of the shroud 126. The ports in alternate flutes 124 of the drum 101 can be staggered in the same way as shown for the ports 27, 28 and '29, 31 of FIG. 1, i.e., the drum 101 can also form two rows of cigarettes 134 which travel sideways along and beyond the shroud 126.

When the outlet (not shown) of a cutoff in a rod cigarette machine delivers a cigarette 134 into the flute 124 shown in FIG. 5, preferably by resorting to an eccentric accelerating wheel of the type shown at 506 in (FIG. 8), the leading end of the cigarette 134 travels beyond the ports 128, 127 so that it enters the path of the air stream issuing from the port 141 and flowing toward the opening 142. Such cigarette then seals or nearly seals the ports 127, 128 so that it is subjected mainly to the action of the component C3 which pushes it back toward the intake end of the flute 124 until the thus returned cigarette permits air to flow from the port 141 inot the opening 142. The communication between the port 141 and opening 142 is established when the cigarette moves to the right beyond the discharge end of the slot 143 so that it is then acted upon by the components C1, C2 of air streams which issue from the ports 127, 1'28. The resultant of forces produced by components C1, C2 is zero when the cigarette 134 assumes the final or predetermined position which is shown in FIG. 5. The component C3 cannot exert undue influence on the final position of the cigarette 134 when the latter permits air to flow from the port 141 into the opening 142. In its final position, the cigarette 134 is located substantially midway between the ports 127, 128.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of a third apparatus having a drum 201 with inserts 203 which define flutes 224 travelling along a shroud 226. The slots 243, 244 of the drum 201 (and hence the corresponding ports 227, 228 in the flutes 224) are respectively connected to a plenum chamber and a suction chamber so that the stream of compressed air issuing from the port 227 has an axially oriented component D1 which flows toward the intake end of the flute and the suction chamber draws a stream D2 of air flowing from the intake end of the flute and thereupon radially inwardly through the port 228 and slot 244. Air entering by way of the intake end of the flute 224 is drawn from the atmosphere.

The cigarette 234 is propelled into the flute 224 by an accelerating device of the cutoff and advances beyond the port 228 so that it moves toward the port 227 and is subjected to the braking action of the air stream issuing from the plenum chamber. Such air stream pushes the cigarette 3234 back and its force is balanced by the force of the stream D2 when the cigarette moves substantially midway between the ports 227, 228.

It will be seen that the distance between the ports 127, 128 of FIG. 5 and ports 227, 228 of FIG. 6 exceeds the length of a cigarette 134 or 234. In FIGS. 14 the distance between a pair of ports 27, 28 or 29, 31 approximates the length of a cigarette 34. FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth apparatus wherein the distance between the ports 327, 328 in the flute 324 of the drum 301 is less than the length of a cigarette 334. The ports 327, 328 are connected to a suction chamber 318 and the forces produced by suction air streams which are drawn through these ports balance each other when the center of the cigarette 334 is located substantially midway between the ports.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a further transporting apparatus which comprises a conveyor in the form of a rotary drum 401 having flutes 424 and being rotatable adjacent to the inner side of an arcuate shroud 426. The transfer station where the cigarettes enter the intake ends of passages defined by successive flutes 424 is shown at D; such cigarettes are propelled into the flutes from a trough-shaped outlet or feed 433 of the cutoff in response to impulses received from an eccentric accelerating wheel 506. The shroud 426 has four openings 501a, 501b, 501e, 501d which are spaced from each other in the axial direction of the drum 401. The length of the openings 501a501d (as seen in the circumferential direction of the drum 401) increases in a direction away from the outlet 433. The arrow 502 indicates the direction in which the drum 401 rotates. Lids 503, 504 are respectively adjacent to the longitudinal ends E, F of those flutes 424 which advance from the transfer station D and along the shroud 426 in the direction indicated by arrow 502. The lid 503 extends close to the station D but the lid 504 begins to seal the left-hand ends of flutes 424 only after such flutes advance through a predetermined angle beyond a position of registry with the outlet 433. The lids serve to influence the flow of air in the adjoining flutes. The accelerating wheel 506 is rotated in synchronism with the cutoff.

The flutes 424 of the drum 401 include two groups of alternating flutes 424a, 424b, and the flutes 442a are formed with radial ports or ducts 507 which communicate with axially parallel bores 508 of the drum. The bores 508 are free to communicate with the atmosphere excepting in the region of the transfer station D which accommodates a stationary sealing member 509 shown in FIG. 9. The shroud 426 is mounted on a carrier 511 and the lids 503, 504 are respectively secured to a stationary frame member by brackets 512, 513. The flutes 42401 are provided with ports 427, 428 and the flutes 424b are provided with ports 429, 431. The distance between the ports 27, 428 and outlet 433 exceeds that between the outlet and ports 429, 431.

Cigarettes are propelled into successive flutes by the wheel 506 whose operation is synchronized with the operation of drive for the drum 401 so that each cigarette finds its way into the intake end of one of the flutes. Full transfer of cigarettes into the flutes 424 is assisted by streams of suction air which are being drawn through the ports 427, 428 or 429, 431. The openings 501a-501d of the shroud 426 admit atmospheric air which exerts a pressure on the wrappers and hence a braking action by urging the cigarettes into frictional engagement with the surfaces of respective flutes 424. The lids 503, 504 insure proper distribution of air pressure in elongated passages defined by the flutes 424 and shroud 426 while the flutes travel along the inner side of the shroud. Such desirable distribution of air pressure will develop despite the fact that the disposition of ports 427, 428 and 429, 431 is not symmetrical with reference to the drum 401. Proper distribution of air pressure is further assisted by ducts 507 and bores 508 which compensate for differences in pressure arising due to the fact that the ports 427, 428 are staggered with reference to the ports 429, 431 and are more distant from the outlet 433. The bores 508 admit additional atmospheric air as soon as they advance beyond the sealing member 509.

Since the flutes of the drums shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are not provided with mechanical stops for the cigarettes, the cigarettes are not likely to lose tobacco at the ends. Furthermore, the apparatus can arrest each cigarette in a predetermined position irrespective of the speed of oncoming cigarettes, and the air streams which brake and locate the cigarettes in their flutes can also assist the cigarettes during entry into the flutes. When the cigarettes are sucked into the flutes, the accelerating device which is used in conventional cutoffs can be dispensed with. Friction between the cigarettes and their flutes can be enhanced by air (openings 501a-501d) toinsure rapid and accurate positioning of cigarettes without any damage to their wrappers. It was found that air streams which act upon the cigarettes to locate them in desired posititons cause the cigarettes to lose much less tobacco at the ends than in conventional apparatus Which are equipped with mechanical stops and/or wherein the cigarettes are mechanically braked during movement toward stops and are thereupon sucked or blown into actual abutment with the stops.

It is further clear that the apparatus of the present invention can be used with equal advantage for transportation and positioning of filter rods, filter rod sections, filter cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, cheroots or other rod-shaped articles as well as for transportatiton and positioning of cigarette packs and/ or other commodities. When the apparatus is used in connection with filter rods or filter rod sections, it can be arranged to transport rods which issue from filter rod machines or to transport rods or rod sections which issue from pneumatic tubes or the like. Of course, the configuration of flutes is different when the apparatus is used to transport packs or analogous commodities which do not resemble rods or sections of rods. Finally, the inserts can form integral parts of the respective drums, i.e., the flutes can be machined directly into the peripheral surfaces of such drums. Also, the drums can be replaced by other types of conveyors, for example, by chains or belts which carry annuli of flutes. Each of the illustrated apparatus is preferably provided with valves or other suitable means for regulating the flow, pressure and/or other characteristics of the air streams.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In an apparatus for transporting cigarettes or analogous commodities, a combination comprising conveyor means provided with a plurality of elongated passages each having an intake end and each being at least partially sealable from the atmosphere, said conveyor means further having ports in communication with said passages, there being at least two ports for each passage; means for conveying air streams through said passages and the respective ports so that at least a portion of each stream flows lengthwise of the respective passage and that said streams act upon the commodities entering the passages by Way of the respective intake ends to produce forces which locate the commodities in predetermined positions; and a feed for supplying commodities to the intake ends of said passages.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein, said conveyor means comprises parallel flutes each of which defines at least a portion of one of said passages.

33. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said conveyor means is a rotary drum and said flutes extend in parallelism with and the axis of said drum.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, further comprising a stationary shroud surrounding a portion of said drum to seal the outer sides of adjoining flutes from the atmosphere.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the length of said shroud, as considered in the circumferential direction of said drum, is such that a flute which receives a commodity is adjacent to said shroud while such commodity is acted upon by said air streams to assume said predetermined position.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said air stream conveying means comprises suction generating connected with said ports at least while the commodities in the respective passages travel toward their predetermined positions.

7. A combination as defined in claim 2, further comprising a shroud adjacent to said conveyor means to seal the outer sides of some of said flutes from the atmosphere, each of said passages being open at said intake end and at the other end thereof.

8. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said ports extends circumferentially of the respective flute.

9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the distance between the ports which communicate with any one of said passages at least approximates the length of a commodity.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a shroud adjacent to said conveyor means to seal portions of some of said passages from the atmosphere, said shroud having openings establishing communication between successive passages and the surrounding atmosphere, said openings being provided in the region where said feed delivers commodities to said passages.

11. A combination as defined in claim 3, further comprising lids providing seals at the ends of said passages downstream of said feed as considered in the direction of rotation of said drum.

12. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said passages comprise a first group of passages and a second group of passages which alternate with the passages of said first group and wherein the ports communicating with said first group of passages are more distant from said feed than the ports communicating with said second group of passages, said drum being further provided with ducts for admission of air to the passages of said first group, said ducts being adjacent to said feed,

13. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the distance between the ports in communication with any one of said passages is less than the length of a commodity.

14. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the distance between the ports communicating with any one of said passages exceeds the length of a commodity.

15. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said air stream conveying means comprises compressor means.

16. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ports are arranged to admit into the respective passages streams of compressed air which flow in opposite directions.

17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said ports include third ports each of which communicates 'with one of said passages and arranged to deliver into the respective passages a third stream of compressed air so that such third stream flows counter to the direction in which a commodity enters the respective passage to advance toward said predetermined position.

18. A combination as defined in claim 17, further comprising stationary means adjacent to said passages and provided with an opening for escape of said third air streams from successive passages.

19. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said air stream conveying means comprises a suction generating device connected to one of said ports and air compressor means connected to the other port.

20. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the ports in communication with a first group of said passages are staggered axially with reference to ports which communicate with a second group of said passages and wherein the passages of said first group alternate with the passages of said second group.

21. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for regulating the flow of air streams into and from said passages.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,039,589 6/1962 Molins et a1. 198-31 3,039,590 6/1962 Best 19831 3,212,820 10/1965 Benesh et al 302-2 3,400,803 9/1968 Lanore 198--31 ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 198-3 1. 

